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The differences between computer forensics technicians and criminalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a computer forensics technician and a criminalist. Additionally, a criminalist has an average salary of $68,152, which is higher than the $50,698 average annual salary of a computer forensics technician.
The top three skills for a computer forensics technician include extraction, physical evidence and digital evidence. The most important skills for a criminalist are physical evidence, laboratory reports, and body fluids.
| Computer Forensics Technician | Criminalist | |
| Yearly salary | $50,698 | $68,152 |
| Hourly rate | $24.37 | $32.77 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 19,018 | 14,872 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Computer Forensics Technician investigates cases from a digital perspective. They specialize in gathering and analyzing digital evidence from devices such as computers, flash drives, cell phones, tablets, and other technologies. There are also instances where they use special software and tools, recover or retrieve files, and unseal documents while adhering to government laws and regulations. When it comes to employment, they may work for government agencies, law enforcement, or even private investigators.
A criminalist works in the forensic science or law enforcement field. Their duties depend upon the agency or place they work for, but they are often responsible for conducting crime investigations, studying crime scenes, gathering and examining evidence, processing evidence, and coordinating with investigators. They must also prepare and process documents, present detailed results and reports to investigators, and sometimes testify in court.
Computer forensics technicians and criminalists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Forensics Technician | Criminalist | |
| Average salary | $50,698 | $68,152 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $65,000 | Between $36,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lincoln, NE | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Los Alamos National Laboratory | City of Los Angeles |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between a computer forensics technician and a criminalist in terms of educational background:
| Computer Forensics Technician | Criminalist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Chemistry |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | California State University - Bakersfield |
Here are the differences between computer forensics technicians' and criminalists' demographics:
| Computer Forensics Technician | Criminalist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.1% Female, 52.9% | Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |